This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
As a teacher and coach in a low-income/high poverty school district, my students are faced with several challenges both in and out of the classroom. Over 80% of them receive free and reduced-priced lunch. While these things may work against them, my students are eager to try new activities they may never have tried before. I am looking to keep things engaging, energetic, and simple, and provide my students with creative and meaningful learning experiences.
My students are full of energy, creative, clever and very spontaneous.
Track and Field teaches students valuable lessons in commitment, teamwork, self-improvement, leadership, and hard work. I believe this can change my students' lives by giving them the ability to participate in track and hopefully excel in it.
My Project
Training equipment/aids allow athletes to have explicit and direct drills and techniques to work on. They can add purpose, meaning and sense of accomplishment to a practice. Track practice with no equipment involves a lot of running without much differentiation of activities. This can get really boring and repetitive for athletes who are just learning the sport and trying to figure out if its for them or not.
My athletes are noticeably more engaged in practice when they have equipment to utilize.
It makes practice feel more professional, and less monotonous.
The products I have selected will help my students by giving them a specific task/drill to focus on. The speed ladders and banana hurdles help to develop brain-to-muscle connection and are excellent for eccentric strength and stability. The parachutes will help to build fast-twitch muscles and explosive power. Most importantly is that all of the equipment can also set up well for games or inter squad competitions, to just make practice more interesting. They are lightweight and can be easily used in the gym, on the field, or at the track.
I have seen how a more varied practice with specific drills can positively affect my athletes work and demeanor, and hope the additional options will help them grow even more!
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mr. Owen and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
